This book was hard for me to rate, because I truly did enjoy it. I didn't figure it out before it was revealed, which is a plus, but when you advertise a "twist you won't see coming" on the book's cover, you better deliver a big one. And this one was "meh." It didn't knock my socks off.

But overall, I did enjoy this book a great deal. It was suspenseful and kept me intrigued.

Detective Jessica Daniel finds herself heading up an investigation into first one, then several more, human hands found left in very public spaces by a woman in a long, black cloak, dubbed "The Woman in Black." As the station's brass is focused on the missing wife of a local government official, Daniel and her team are facing a pile of hands - and potentially, murders - and more questions than answers.

This book really pulls you in because the concept is so unique. Hands left in public by someone who hides their identity well enough not to be picked up by security cameras. It's so puzzling. The suspense really builds throughout the book, since it's not the kind of book which just lays things out there. I really had no idea what was going on.

Also, the subplot about the politician's wife is pretty good, which adds to the layers of the story.

However, the book was lengthy. I wish it had been edited down to be, maybe, 50 pages shorter. It just seemed to be really long at times, with some unnecessary scenes and details. But that wasn't enough to put me off finishing the book or anything.

And, again, the twist was a bit disappointing because it wasn't very original. I feel like I've seen similar things before. It left me a little disappointed, to be honest. But added in with the rest of the book, I felt the conclusion was ok. It wrapped things up nicely.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book, however, and I'll certainly be reading more in this series. Just don't reading this expecting some kind of "Girl on the Train" twister.

This is the 3rd book in the Jessica Daniel series I have read by Kerry Wilkinson and he knocked it out of the park with this book. I couldn't out it down. The book had endless twist that kept me reading late into the night. Jessica isn't just an officer of the law she has heart and soul. The story did slow down as some clues lead to dead ends but than it is a Police Procedural Novel.

Thank for to Netgalley and the publisher for Advance Copy for my opinions.

The Woman In Black

Number three in a series that just keeps getting better and better. Thrilling twists and turns that will have you holding your breath! An absolutely stonking good read, 5*!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book, with thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

After reading reviews on the author Kerrry Wilkinson’s Detective Jessica Daniel Series I was eager to read Women in Black in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed.
I tried to get into the story but it didn’t happen. To me the book was boring and jumbled. I wanted more crime thriller than fantasy . I will admit I skimmed a lot and cared little for all the extra details that had little to do with the crime series.
I think Kerrry Wilkinson is a good writer and tries hard to expand the characters. I will read another one of her books , maybe I should read the first & second of the series to fully understand how The Woman in Black evolved.
Thank you to the publisher , the author & Netgalley for this opportunity.

Kerry Wilkinson has created a fascinating character in Detective Sergeant Jessica Daniels and in this, the third in the series, she seems to be learning better to work in a team while retaining her ability to think outside of the box and combine instinct and deduction to solve some of the crimes that fall to her to investigate.

The story starts with a severed hand being left in a very public place in Manchester. A mother is reporting her son missing and then a package arrives at the police station, addressed to Senior Detective. The parcel reveals a finger removed from the hand - and DNA evidence shows that the hand and finger are not the missing young man.

Then a second hand and finger surface, and it is a DNA match for the missing son. Similar modus as last time, but this time it is addressed to Jessica, so it feels as if it's getting personal, and seems as if there might possibly be a serial killer at work - except there are only hands and fingers, but no further body parts. Careful scrutiny of security camera footage suggests the hands are being planted by a woman dressed in a hooded black cape and low heels. The search is on for connections between victims, and to discover what is going on.

This is a really gripping story and a very satisfying read. Happily, there are more cases to enjoy in the series beyond this one, but I am totally hooked on these books and am happily anticipating the next instalment.